What is a lockout device in LOTO?

• A. A physical device attached to energy sources that prevents them from being re-energized until removed by authorized personnel.
• B. A sensor that stops movement at a preset position.
• C. A threaded anchor point used to attach rigging hardware or lines.
• D. A metal plate used to distribute a load across multiple points.

Answer: (A)

In LOTO, a lockout device is a physical means of isolating an energy source and preventing it from being re-energized until a qualified person removes it. It’s placed on the equipment’s disconnecting means (like a switch, valve, or circuit breaker) and requires a lock that only the person who applied it can remove. This creates a tangible barrier that ensures the equipment cannot start up unexpectedly while work is being done, protecting workers from hazardous energy releases. The other options describe tools used for different purposes—sensors that stop movement, rigging anchors, or load-distribution plates—not for isolating and controlling energy.